Bring Surgical Instruments When Escaping Vesuvius, the Victim of Pompeii 2000 Years Ago Turns Out to be a Doctor

Two thousand years ago, when Mount Vesuvius erupted and Pompeii turned into a mass grave, a man turned out to be carrying medical tools.

Reported by Anadolu Agency, quoted Friday, May 22, archaeologists at the Pompeii Archaeological Park, southern Italy, identified one of the victims of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD as a doctor. The clue was found from surgical equipment hidden inside the mold of the corpse's plaster.

This finding comes from a re-examination of excavation material from 1961 led by Italian archaeologist Amedeo Maiuri in the Orto dei Fuggiaschi area, Pompeii. At the location, 14 prints of people who died while trying to escape the city were found.

They are suspected of being caught in a pyroclastic cloud, which is a very hot cloud containing gas, ash, and volcanic material that quickly slides from a volcano. The victims are believed to have tried to get out of Pompeii through Porta Nocera.

In one of the prints, researchers found a small box. The contents were metal objects that were suspected to be medical tools, bronze and silver coins, as well as slate plates. The slate was likely used to prepare medical or cosmetic ingredients.

The combination of the objects makes experts strongly suspect that the victim was a medicus, the Latin term for a doctor or healer. In archaeology, a person's profession is rarely recognizable from direct evidence. Especially after 2,000 years.

Researchers used X-rays, tomography scans, and 3D digital reconstruction. In that way, the contents of the box could be examined without damaging the mummy mold.

The examination also revealed the mechanical structure of the box, including a serrated lock system.

This research involves archaeologists, anthropologists, restorers, radiologists, numismatists or experts on ancient currencies, as well as digital modeling experts.

Director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park Gabriel Zuchtriegel said the findings gave an insight into the profession of doctors in ancient Rome.

"Even 2,000 years ago, there were people who were not just doctors who received patients at certain hours, but remained doctors at all times, even when fleeing the eruption," Zuchtriegel said, quoted by Anadolu.

He said the man was carrying his equipment possibly to build a new life elsewhere. It could also be to help others in the midst of panic.

"This small but important finding is dedicated to all women and men who continue to carry out this profession today with a sense of great responsibility and dedication to the community," he said.